Let me get this out of the way: I’m no longer a practising solicitor and never touched immigration law. But here’s a prediction you won’t see anywhere else: forget Farage—Elon Musk could be UK Prime Minister by 2029.
When I stood in the Selby and Ainsty by-election, I had to declare myself a British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizen with the right to live in the UK. Musk, as a South African, qualifies as a Commonwealth citizen (he may also qualify through his Canadian association). With a visa and indefinite leave to remain (ILR), he could technically run for Parliament. There are no extra hurdles for an MP to become the PM, other than the ability to command a majority.
Indefinite Leave to Remain, as I understand it, isn’t trivial—it demands 2–5 years of continuous residence, during which you can’t be absent for more than 180 days per year. That’s the biggest potential issue for Elon. Then again, this is Elon Musk. He could waltz into the Home Office, with Trump by his side, offer to invest billions, and probably secure a bespoke visa on the spot.
The political mood is ripe for someone like him: I’ve never felt the country as down in the dumps as it is now. Disillusionment with the two main parties is off the charts, and Reform UK is gaining traction—particularly among young men. At my kids’ school mock elections in July, the girls mostly went Lib Dem or Green, but the boys? A large proportion voted Reform, many of whom will be first time voters by 2029. And this pattern has been repeated around the country.
Every time I log into Twitter (sorry, “X”), the first post I see is from Musk. He’s already shaping UK political discourse, banging on about “rape gangs,” the government’s hostility to business, and free speech—all the while ignoring that most laws in the UK, and all the policies until July 2024, are Tory-made.
With his billions, his platform, and with Trump, together with his knack for disruption, Musk could rewrite the UK’s political rulebook. If he wants to be Prime Minister, I’d bet (if I did bet!) on him finding a way.
